You might already know that gum disease leads to tooth loss,
but you probably do not know that nearly 75% of Americans have some form of gum
disease. Periodontal disease (gum disease) destroys the bone and gum tissue
surrounding the teeth, causing them to become infected, loose and eventually
lost. Gum recession is well known as a
sign of periodontal disease. Did you
know that gum recession can be caused by several other factors that you might
not be aware of?
Aggressive Tooth Brushing
Brushing your teeth twice a day is important for gum health,
but if you aren’t brushing your teeth the right way, you can actually be
damaging your gums! Improper brushing
technique and aggressive brushing can cause an inflammatory response in the gum
tissue, leading to recession. In
addition to following your dentist’s instructions for proper brushing
technique, always use a soft bristled brush and avoid over-brushing. Two minutes of proper brushing twice per day
is enough to keep teeth and gums healthy- just don’t forget to floss!
Grinding and Clenching Your Teeth
Teeth grinding and clenching is a behavior most often seen
associated with stress. Frequent
grinding or clenching can stress the delicate gum tissue and tiny periodontal
attachments, causing gum recession. In
addition, stress on the teeth can cause erosion of the enamel at the
gumline. If you have problems with teeth
grinding and clenching, talk to your dentist about therapeutic treatment
options such as custom mouthguards to help prevent damage from clenching.
Crooked Teeth/Misaligned Bite
Crooked teeth are more than just a cosmetic concern. When your teeth are crooked , your bite does
not match properly. This is called
malocclusion. Malocclusion causes excess
stress, pressure and wear on individual teeth, often resulting in gum
recession. In addition, crooked teeth
are harder to keep clean, leaving them prone to excess plaque and calculus-
known causes of gum disease. Correcting crooked teeth with traditional braces
or Invisalign clear dental aligners can prevent and stop progression of gum
recession associated with a misaligned bite
.
Piercings
Piercings in the lips and tongue are a dentist’s
nightmare. Metal jewelry in the mouth
can cause friction on the delicate gum tissues, leading to gum recession. In addition, tongue bars and other metal
piercings are often the cause of fractured teeth! Avoid loss of gum tissue and the risk of
damage to teeth by removing piercings that can come in contact with teeth and
gums.
Tobacco Use Causes Gum Recession
Tobacco use, especially dipping tobacco, causes damage to
the delicate gum tissue. Over time,
tobacco uses experience gum recession, even when periodontal disease is not
present. In addition to all the other
negative health effects of tobacco use, gum recession is just one more reason
to quit smoking and using tobacco now.
Do You Have Gum Recession?
If you have noticed that you are getting a little “long in
the tooth”, it’s time to talk to your Dallas dentist about what is causing your gum
recession. Your dentist and dental
hygienist can help determine the cause and work with you to make corrections in
your habits to stop the progression of gum recession. Schedule your dental check -up now, and help
make sure you preserve your gums and
maintain a lifetime of healthy smiles.
